We have a WBA Cruiserweight eliminator bout this Saturday despite it happening at a catchweight. Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico and Joe "Common Man" Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) from Long Island, New York, addressed the media at a press conference held on Thursday to promote their ten-round match bout taking place at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, broadcasted live on DAZN commencing at 5:00 p.m. PM PST.
The bout which is contracted at 190-lbs will see Ramirez make his cruiserweight debut, sort of, at a catchweight as this comes on the heels of him missing weight so badly against Gabriel Rosado that the bout was canceled.
"I want to thank God for this," said Ramirez. "I am blessed to be here. Thank you Golden Boy, and Joe Smith for taking the fight. The first time I fought in Las Vegas was at the Cosmopolitan and I want to repeat what happened last time and have my hand lifted in the air in victory."
As stated above Ramirez expressed his gratitude for headlining this week's card taking place one week after Mexican superstar boxer, Canelo Alvarez fought in the same city. Smith Jr. gave equally as benign comments when speaking at the press conference as well.
""Like I said, I'm glad to be back," said Smith Jr.." I'd like to thank Golden Boy Promotions and Star Boxing for this opportunity. Looking forward to this Saturday. Thank you Zurdo for this opportunity. This weekend, I'm looking to make another statement."
The most notable comments came from Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, as he spoke to the fact that this fight will crown a world title contender. De La Hoya who this week spoke to how promoters need to work together to make super-fights praised Ramirez and Smith Jr., for taking this fight.
"When you have a former world champion -- the first 168-pound Mexican champion of the world and you have Joe Smith Jr., the common man who comes to fight and is a legend killer fighting the likes of Bernard Hopkins and more -- this has the makings of a great fight," said De La Hoya. "Welcome to my new home here in Las Vegas! I'm very excited to be showcasing this amazing card and this is what I'm talking about when working with other promoters."
